to become a news broadcaster?

[curious about life]

i am an upcoming junior in high school so this question may be a bit early but i am curious.
what kinds of courses would i need to take IN COLLEGE to become a news broadcaster?
how many years would this take altogether?
does anyone have the avg yearly salary for a news broadcaster?
--if you need a specific state, try georgia or new york or somewhere.

would i need to start out working behind the camera or anything?

 

[spotlite28]

In College you'll want to major in Broadcast Journalism or something similar. It's usually a four year degree.
You'll learn everything from getting stories and writing them well to shooting and editing video to tell your stories with.
Average Salary varies on what you do and where. The bigger markets can pay more. But most people have to work their way up from a smaller market. I actually work in a station at a 127ish market. I direct and make about what the reporters make: roughly 20-25 thousand a year(Don't cement this number in your brain... You're only in junior high, when you get out there after college the salaries and cost of living will probably be higher in about the same proportion). But when you move up you'll obviously be able to get more because after a few years in the middle of nowhere you'll be better and able to get more money.

As for behind the camera. You'll be using field cameras to go out and shoot video and interviews and then you'll be editing the video to fit the stories you write. These days non-linear editing is the way it is. (And non-linear editing is pretty cool and easy). If you want to learn how to use the big studio cameras and floor direct or make graphics or switch the shows or direct the shows in college I think you may have the opportunity. But it won't hurt you at all to not know how the things in the control room work.